Liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

The present invention is to provide the multi-domain system IPS (In-Plane Switching mode) liquid crystal display which has high contrast and does not have an improper image display. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a black matrix formed between a pair of substrates and formed over a plurality of drain lines and gate lines, a plurality of spaces arranged under the black matrix, wherein a plurality of liquid crystal molecules lined to a boundary direction of the black matrix in “OFF” state, and having a first group and a second group in “ON” state, wherein a switching angle of the second group is opposite to a switching angle of the first group.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device.More specifically, the invention relates to a liquid crystal displaydevice with high contrast characteristics of the multi-domain systemusing spacers.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Active matrix liquid crystal display devices using activeelements as represented by thin-film transistors (TFT) have now beenwidely used as display terminals of OA equipment since they are light inweight and have picture quality equivalent to that of cathode-ray tubes.

[0005] The display system of the liquid crystal display devices can beroughly divided into two. One is a system in which liquid crystals aresandwiched by two substrates having transparent electrodes and aredriven by a voltage applied to the transparent electrodes, and lightincident upon the liquid crystals and transmitted through thetransparent electrodes is modulated to achieve display.

[0006] Another one is a system in which liquid crystals are driven by anelectric filed which is nearly in parallel with the surface of asubstrate between two electrodes that are formed on the same substrate,and light incident upon the liquid crystals through a gap between thetwo electrodes is modulated to provide display.

[0007] Features of the latter system have been disclosed in, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,867, 5,599,285, 5,598,285, 5,786,876,5,956,111 and Japanese Patent No. 02907137. Moreover features of amulti-domain system IPS (In-Plane Switching mode) liquid crystal displayhave been disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,207.

[0008] In general, an orientation process that prepares an orientationfilm for controlling liquid crystal. molecules is done by rubbing usinga rotating rubbing roller on the surface of an orientation film.However, when spaces are formed on an orientation layer, an orientationprocess can cause alignment defects as a result of the differences insurface level. Specifically, when spacers are formed in the displayregion, alignment defect can result in an improper image display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to providemulti-domain system IPS (In-Plane Switching mode) liquid crystal displaywhich have high contrast and do not suffer from improper image display.This invention provide a remarkable high contrast display (350:1) ascompared to current model displays (200:1).

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a black matrix formed between a pair of substrates and formedover a plurality of drain lines and gate lines, a plurality of spacersarranged under the black matrix, wherein a plurality of liquid crystalmolecules aligned to a boundary direction of the black matrix in the OFFstate, and having a first group and a second group in the ON state,wherein a switching angle of the second is opposite to a switching angleof the first group.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a black matrix formed between a pair of substrates and formedover a plurality of drain lines and gate lines, a plurality of spacersarranged under the black matrix, wherein a plurality of liquid crystalmolecules having Y direction of an initial orientation angle, andtwisted to +X direction and −X direction when a driving voltage isapplied.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plurality of liquid crystal molecules having a positivedielectric constant anisotropy and interposed between a pair oforientation layers, a black matrix formed over another of a pair ofsubstrates in a matrix shape, a plurality of spacers formed between theblack matrix and one of the pair of orientation layers, wherein aplurality of liquid crystal molecules having Y direction of an initialorientation angle, and twisted to +X direction and −X direction when adriving voltage is applied.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plurality of liquid crystal molecules having a negativedielectric constant anisotropy and interposed between said pair oforientation layers, a black matrix formed over another of a pair ofsubstrates in a matrix shape, a plurality of spacers formed between theblack matrix and one of a pair of orientation layers, wherein saidplurality crystal molecules having X direction of an initial orientationangle, and twisted to +Y direction and −Y direction when driving voltageis applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pixel of a liquid crystaldisplay cut along the line II-II in 1.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the spacer in illustration of aalignment defect on an orientation layer.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display accordingto a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display accordingto a eight embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 11A is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 11B is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according to an eleventh embodiment 11 of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a sectional view of A spacerillustrating the steps A to E of fabricating a substrate 1B.

[0028]FIG. 14, is a flow chart of a sectional view of a, spacerillustrating the steps A to E of fabricating a substrate 1B.

[0029]FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the spacer of A liquid crystaldisplay according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according another invention of the fourteenth embodiment.

[0031]FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 18 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 19 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to another invention of the sixteenth embodiment.

[0034]FIG. 20 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 21 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 22 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 23 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038]FIG. 24 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039]FIG. 25 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention.

[0040]FIG. 26 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0041]FIG. 27 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0042]FIG. 28 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0043]FIG. 29 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0044]FIG. 30 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-ninth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] This present invention will hereunder be described in moredetail.

[0046] [Embodiment 1]

[0047]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the firstembodiment, a plurality of liquid crystal molecules having a positivedielectric constant anisotropy, and FIG. 1 shows one pixel of aplurality of pixels forming in matrix shape. Each pixel is defined in aregion where two adjacent gate lines 2 and two adjacent drain lines 3intersect. And each pixel includes a thin-film transistor TFT, acapacitor Cadd, a pixel electrode 5, a counter electrode 4A and acounter voltage line 4. The gate lines 2 and the counter voltage lines 4extend in the X direction in the drawing and are arranged in the Ydirection. The drain lines 3 extend in the Y direction and are arrangedin the X direction. The pixel electrode 5 is connected to the thin-filmtransistor TFT. The material of the gate line 2 is selected from a groupof chromium, aluminum and molybdenum, and the counter voltage line 4 isformed by the same material with the gate line 2.

[0048] A counter voltage is supplied to the counter electrodes 4A viathe counter voltage line 4 from an external circuit. And the counterelectrodes 4A and the counter voltage line 4 have a shape of a letter Hin the each pixels. The pixel electrode 5 and the counter electrode 4Aare opposed to each other, and the optical state of the liquid crystalsLC (ON state) is controlled by an electric field between each pixelelectrode 5 and the counter electrode 4A, thereby to control thedisplay. The pixel electrodes 5 and the counter electrodes 4A are formedlike comb teeth, and extend in a slender form in the Y direction.

[0049] Here, the pixel electrode 5 and the counter electrode 4A have aherringbone shape for the multi-domain system. The counter electrode 4Amaintains the distance with the pixel electrode 5 by increasing thewidth of the counter electrode 4A. Hence, the face of the drain line 3side of the counter electrode 4A is formed parallel with the drain line3, and the face of the pixel electrode 5 side of the counter electrode4A is formed parallel with the pixel pixel electrode 5.

[0050] Therefore, the direction of the electric field which is disposedin the upper pixel region of the counter voltage line 4 in a pixelbetween the pixel electrode 5 and the counter electrode 4A is differentfrom the lower one pixel region. In FIG. 1, the direction of theelectric field which is disposed at the upper pixel region has the angleof +θ with respect to the direction parallel to the counter voltage line4, but the direction of the electric field which is disposed at thelower one has the angle of −θ with respect to the direction parallel tothe counter voltage line 4.

[0051] The above-mentioned shape provides liquid crystal molecules toswitch in reverse directions at each pixel region, and a lighttransmittance change at each pixel.

[0052] In this invention, it can prevent the inversion of luminance whenthe view point of the observer is at an angle with respect to theslanting direction of the liquid crystal display panel. In the firstembodiment, one pixel has the difference angle of ±θ dividing upper andlower pixel region, but it allows two adjoining two pixels to havedifference angles of +θ and −θ, respectively.

[0053] Thin film transistor TFT consists of the gate line 2, a drainelectrode 3A, a source electrode 5A, a semiconductor layer 6 and a gateinsulator (silicon nitride). An insulator is formed on the gate line 2as a gate insulator, and the semiconductor layer 6 whose material isamorphous silicon formed on the gate insulator. A drain electrode 3A anda source electrode 5A are formed on the semiconductor layer 6; thin filmtransistor TFT becomes an inverted stagger type thin film transistor.The drain electrode 3A and a source electrode 5A are same layer, and thedrain electrode 3A contact with the drain line, and the source electrode5A contact with the pixel electrode, respectively.

[0054] In the first embodiment, an initial orientation angle is the Ydirection, so a rubbing direction is also the Y direction. The absolutevalue of the angle between the drain line 3 and the direction of theelectric field E is larger than the absolute value of the angle betweenthe counter voltage line 4 and the direction of the electric field E. Acapacitance Cadd consists of the pixel electrode 5, the counter voltageline 4 and the gate insulator. To form the capacitance Cadd on thecounter voltage line 4, the capacitance Cadd can be larger than anyregion in a pixel. The capacitance Cadd functions to improve the dataretentivity. A protective film PAS (silicon nitride) is formed over thetransparent substrate 1A after forming a plurality of thin filmtransistors TFT and pixels for preventing to touch with liquid, crystalmolecules. Furthermore, an orientation layer which controls an initialorientation angle of liquid crystal molecules is formed over theprotective film PAS. The orientation layer is surface rubbed with arubbing roller along with the Y direction after coating synthetic resinsthereon.

[0055] A color filter substrate 1B consists of a black matrix BM, acolor filter 7 and an orientation layer 9. In FIG. 1, a boundary of theblack matrix BM is shown as a plan view, and in FIG. 2 shows a sectionalview of the black matrix BM. Here, the orientation layer 9 of the colorfilter substrate 1B is a surface rubbed with rubbing roller in the Ydirection after coating synthetic resins thereon the same as theorientation layer of the transparent substrate 1A. Also, the orientationdirection of each orientation layer of the transparent substrate 1A sideand that of the color filter substrate 1B are the same Y direction.Therefore, a plurality of liquid crystal molecules are aligned to aboundary direction of the black matrix in the OFF state, and having theupper pixel region (a first group) and the lower pixel region (a secondgroup) in the ON state, wherein a switching angle of the second group isopposite to a switching angle of the first group.

[0056] A spacer 10 is formed between the transparent substrate 1A andthe color filter substrate 1B and formed over the drain line 3 to keep agap therebetween.

[0057]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pixel of a liquid crystaldisplay cut along the line II-II in FIG. 1. The black matrix BM isformed on the color filter substrate 1B which faces with liquid crystalmolecules, the spacer 10 is made of the black matrix BM, the spacers 10function to keep a gap between the transparent substrate 1A side and thecolor filter substrate 1B.

[0058] The black matrix BM is formed by the twice selective etching of aphoto lithography method, the first selective etching to make the spacer10 after coating black matrix material very thick, and the secondselective etching to make a hole for the color filter 7. The blackmatrix BM is formed with either the drain line 3 or the gate line 2thereon; a light transmittance region between the pixel electrode 5 andthe counter electrode 4A are formed in an open region of the blackmatrix BM. An end of the pixel electrode 5 and the edge of the counterelectrode 4A are covered with the black matrix BM, because this regionis not the uniform electric field area between the pixel electrode 5 andthe counter electrode 4A.

[0059] The open region of the black matrix BM would be able to improvean aperture ratio if it is large enough. On the other hand, the openregion of the black matrix should be designed to cover the unnecessaryelectric field between the drain line 3 and the counter electrode 4A,and the improper electric field between the pixel electrode 5 and theedge of counter electrode 4A. The color filter 7 is formed at the openregion of the black matrix BM. Then, the over coating film 8 is formedover the color filter 7. Finally, the orientation layer 9 is formed overthe over coating film 8.

[0060]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the spacer 10 in illustration of analignment defect on an orientation layer. The orientation layer 9 hasits surface rubbed with rubbing roller 100 in the right direction (inthe Y direction in FIG. 1). Here, an area 200 is not orientated andcauses an alignment defect with the spacer 10. Hence, in the area 200,the rubbing roller 100 out of contact with surface of the orientationlayer 9, is not rubbed with the rubbing roller 100. Therefore, in thisinvention, the area 200 brings in the Y direction by using themulti-domain system IPS, and covers the area 200 by the black matrix. Asa result, this combination provides remarkably high contrast (350:1) fora liquid crystal display.

[0061] Moreover, the spacer 10 is available to form over the countervoltage line 4 as other embodiment. As the counter voltage. As thecounter voltage line 4 can be designed wider than the gate line 2, thedrain line 3 and another electrode, the area 200 can be covered by thecounter voltage line 4 easily.

[0062] [Embodiment 2]

[0063]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the secondembodiment, a plurality of liquid crystal molecules having a negativedielectric constant anisotropy, rubbing direction (initial orientationangle) is in the X direction, so the spacer 10 is disposed over the gateline 2. As a result, even if alignment defects are formed the area 200on the gate line 2, the area 200 is hid by the black matrix BM. Aplurality of liquid crystal molecules have the X direction for aninitial orientation angle, and are twisted to +Y direction and −Ydirection while a driving voltage is applied.

[0064] [Embodiment 3]

[0065]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording a third embodiment of the present invention. In theembodiment, a plurality of liquid crystal molecules having a positivedielectric constant anisotropy, the pixel electrodes 5 and the counterelectrodes 4A are formed in the direction X which are parallel with thegate line 2. In the third embodiment, an rubbing direction (initialorientation angle) is in the X direction.

[0066] In FIG. 5, the direction of the electric field which is disposedat the upper pixel region has the angle of −θ with respect to thedirection perpendicular to the counter voltage line 4, but the directionof the electric field which is disposed at the lower pixel region hasthe angle of +θ with respect to the direction perpendicular to thecounter voltage fine 4. The above-mentioned shape provides the liquidcrystal molecules with the ability to switch in reverse directions ateach pixel region, and a light transmittance change in a pixel.

[0067] As each counter electrode 4A is arranged parallel with each pixelelectrode 5, each of the counter electrodes 4A has a wider portion thanthe pixel electrodes 5. The absolute value of the angle between thedrain line 3 and the direction of the electric field E is smaller thanthe absolute value of the angle between the gate line 2 and thedirection of the electric field E. In this embodiment, an observer doesnot recognize the inversion of luminance when the view point of theobserver is at an angle with respect to the slanting direction of theliquid crystal display panel.

[0068] A rubbing direction (initial orientation angle) of thetransparent substrate 1A and the color filter substrate 1B are in thesame X direction as the direction of gate line 2, so the spacer 10 isdisposed over the gate line 2. As a result, even if alignment defectsare made in the area 200 on the gate line 2, the area 200 is hidden bythe black matrix BM in this embodiment.

[0069] This embodiment achieves both advantages of preventing theinversion of luminance when the view point of the observer is at anangle with respect to the slanting direction of the liquid crystaldisplay panel, and of providing remarkably high contrast (350:1) for theliquid crystal display.

[0070] [Embodiment 4]

[0071]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourthembodiment, a plurality of liquid crystal molecules having a negativedielectric constant anisotropy, a rubbing direction (initial orientationangle) is in the Y direction. The spacer 10 is disposed over the drainline 3. As a result, even if alignment defects are made in the area 200on the drain line 3, the area 200 is hidden by the black matrix BM thisembodiment.

[0072] That is, it can prevent the inversion of luminance when the viewpoint of the observer is at an angle with respect to the slantingdirection of the liquid crystal display panel.

[0073] This embodiment achieves the of advantages both of preventing theinversion of luminance when the view point of the observer is at anangle with respect to the slanting direction of the liquid crystaldisplay panel and of providing remarkably high contrast (350:1) for theliquid crystal display.

[0074] [Embodiment 5]

[0075]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A showsa plan view of an arrangement of a plurality of pixel. An black framesshows the black matrix BM, it's open region corresponds to each pixel.The arrangement in FIG. 7A is called the delta arrangement, one group ofpixels in the X direction (a row direction) is offset to the side by ½pitch relative to another group of pixels. As the delta arrangement,with pixels of red, green and blue adjacent each other, is useful for acolor active matrix liquid crystal display. In the fifth embodiment 5,the spacer 10 is formed over the gate line 2, and, the rubbing direction(initial orientation angle) is in the X direction. As a result, even ifalignment defects are made the are made in the area 200 on the gate line2, the area 200 is hidden by the black matrix BM. FIG. 7B shows a planview of the delta arrangement, when the spacer 10 is formed over thedrain line 3 and the rubbing direction (initial orientation angle) is inthe Y direction. In this case, alignment defects inside the pixelregion, cause an improper image display.

[0076] [Embodiment 6]

[0077] The delta arrangement may be designed such that one group pixelsof the Y direction (a column direction) is offset to one side by ½ pitchrelative to another group of pixels. In a sixth embodiment, the spacer10 is formed over the drain line 3, the rubbing direction (initialorientation angle) is in the direction along with the drain line 3.

[0078] [Embodiment 7]

[0079]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display accordingto a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows asectional view of the spacer 10 of a liquid crystal display cut alongthe gate line 2 in FIG. 1. The spacer 10 consists of the spacer 10Awhich is formed at both ends of the gate line 2. (FIELD A), and thespacer 10B which is formed at a pixel region (FIELD B). A sealing member24 seals between the transparent substrate 1A and the color filtersubstrate 1B. Furthermore, a conductive layer 21 is formed under thespacer 10A and 10B forming on the color filter substrate 1B side, whichis contacted with the gate line 2. Hence, this embodiment covers thespacer 10A with the conductive layer 21 and electrically contracts thegate line 2 with the spacer 10A. If the gate line 2 breakdown in itswiring at a part in FIELD B, scanning signals would be supported via theconductive layer 21 at FIELD A. The seventh embodiment is useful forvideo signals of the drain line 3 as another embodiment.

[0080] [Embodiment 8]

[0081]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display accordingto an eight embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows asectional view of the spacer 10 of a liquid crystal display cut alongthe counter voltage line 4 in FIG. 1. The spacer 10 consists of thespacer 10A which is formed at both ends of the gate line 2 (FIELD A),and the spacer 10B which is formed at a pixel region (FIELD B). Asealing member 24 seals between the transparent substrate 1A and thecolor filter substrate 1B. Furthermore, another counter voltage line 22is formed under the spacer 10A and 10B forming on the color filtersubstrate 1B side in this embodiment. A conductive layer 23 is disposedlike FIG. 9, and connects between the counter voltage line 22 and anexternal terminal for a counter, voltage. Hence, this embodiment coversthe spacer 10A with the counter voltage line 22, and electricallycontacts the conductive layer 23 for a counter voltage.

[0082] [Embodiment 9]

[0083] It is clear that the spacer 10 should be formed on the colorfilter substrate side to prevent any deterioration in thecharacteristics of a thin film transistor. In the process of the spacerforming on the same substrate with a film transistor, a step increasingfor a selective etching by a photo lithography method is added, whereinthe etching solvent causes deterioration of the characteristics of thethin film transistor.

[0084] However, the spacer 10 should be formed on the transparentsubstrate 1A side, when the alignment between the transparent substrate,1A, and the color filter substrate 1B is more important than thedeterioration in the characteristics of a thin film transistor.

[0085] [Embodiment 10]

[0086]FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. Theblack matrix BM and the color filter 7 are formed under the color filtersubstrate 1B side which is opposite to the liquid crystal, anovercoating film 8 made from a thermosetting resin film is in formedthereunder. The spacer 10 made from a photocurable resin film, is formedunder the over coating film 8. To make the spacer 10 from photo curableresin film, a selective etching method is excluded from the process ofthe spacer 10, manufacturing steps for the color filter substrate 1Bbecome simple and low cost. The embodiment 10 is useful for, thetransparent substrate 1A side having the spacer 10 as anotherembodiment.

[0087] [Embodiment 11]

[0088]FIG. 11A is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. Thespacers are uniformly arranged in a plurality of pixels like the samenumber of pixels have the same number of the spacers. To decreasealignment defects caused by spacer, a pluralify of pixels have onespacer uniformly.

[0089] [Embodiment 12]

[0090]FIG. 11B is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. A pluralityof pixels are dotted with a plurality of spacers. Thus, the spacers arenot uniformly arranged in a plurality of pixels like FIG. 11A. Ifalignment defects is uniform, an observer could see them easily.

[0091] [Embodiment 13]

[0092]FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.The spacer 10 adheres to an orientation layer formed on the transparentsubstrate 1A by an adhesive 30. The portion where the spacer 10 adheresto an orientation layer is touched between orientation layers. Ingeneral, the bonding force between the orientation layers having thesame material is weak. Consequently, the adhesive 30 including the Sicoupling material is needed between orientation layers.

[0093]FIG. 13 is a flow chart of sectional views of a spacerillustrating the steps A to E of fabricating a color filter substrate1B.

[0094] [Step 1]

[0095]FIG. 13A shows a color filter substrate 1B having the spacer10coating an orientation material.

[0096] [Step 2]

[0097] First, the color filter substrate 1B is moved near a vesselfilled with adhesive material 30 like FIG. 13B. Then, the color filtersubstrate 1B is positioned to apply the top of the spacer 10 withadhesive material.

[0098] [Step 3]

[0099]FIG. 13C. shows, the spacer 10 having the adhesive 30.

[0100] [Step 4]

[0101] Second, the transparent substrate 1A and-the color filtersubstrate 1B are positioned facing each other shown in FIG. 13D.

[0102] [Step 5]

[0103] Finally, by applying heat to the pair of substrates, the adhesive30 begins going solidify. (FIG. 13E).

[0104]FIG. 14A is a flow chart of sectional views of a spacerillustrating the steps A to E of fabricating a substrate 1B according toanother embodiment.

[0105] [Step 1]

[0106]FIG. 14A shows a color filter substrate 1B having the spacer 10formed on an orientation material.

[0107] [Step 2]

[0108] First, the color filter substrate 1B is coated by the roller 31soaking in the a vessel filled with adhesive material shown in FIG. 14B.As a result, the color filter substrate 1B is formed with the tops ofthe spacer 10 covered with adhesive material.

[0109] [Step 3]

[0110]FIG. 14C shows the spacer 10 having the adhesive 30.

[0111] [Step 4]

[0112] Second, the., transparent substrate 1A, and the color filtersubstrate 1B are positioned facing each other shown in FIG. 14D.

[0113] [Step 5]

[0114] Finally, by applying heat to the pair of substrates, then theadhesive 30 begins to solidify. (FIG. 14E).

[0115] [Embodiment 14]

[0116]FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention Aconcave 40 is formed on the transparent substrate 1A as a countertapered shape of a protective film 41 whereby adheres the spacer 10 withthe protective film 41 via the concave 40. In the embodiment, theconcave 40 is used instead of the adhesive 30.

[0117]FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according to another invention of the fourteenth embodiment. Aconcave 42 is formed on the transparent substrate 1A with the gate line2 or the drain line 3, wherein the concave 42 fits with the spacer 10.In this embodiment, the concave 42 is used instead of the adhesive 30 orthe concave 40 Moreover, an area between the concaves 42 may be formedlarger than the width of the spacer 10, as the sealing material 24 holdsa gap of substrates correspond to the perpendicular direction.Therefore, the concaves 42 function as holding material for a gap ofsubstrates correspond to the parallel direction.

[0118] [Embodiment 15]

[0119]FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the spacer of a liquid crystaldisplay according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.The spacer 10 is formed over the drain over line 3, the black matrixBM's pattern adjacent to the spacer 10 is formed wider than the otherportions. In the embodiment 15, a rubbing direction of the orientationlayer follows with the drain line 3. When an alignment defect is solarge that the black matrix BM can not hide it perfectly, the embodiment15 is useful thereby.

[0120] [Embodiment 16]

[0121]FIG. 18 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, a rubbing direction of an orientation layer has an angle θ,whereby alignment defects of the orientation layer caused by the spacer10 also appear at an angle θ. As alignment defects of the orientationlayer are related to the rubbing direction, therefore the right blackmatrix BM's pattern is wider than the left black matrix BM's pattern.

[0122] In other words, the black matrix BM's pattern covering the spacer10 is needed as an outline whose shape is a circle with the center ofthe spacer, the radius of the circle depending on the occurrence ofalignment defects.

[0123]FIG. 19 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording another invention of the sixteenth embodiment. It allows theblack matrix BM's pattern covering the spacer 10 to form at one side.

[0124] [Embodiment 17]

[0125]FIG. 20 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. Thespacer 10 is formed over the gate line 2 or the drain line 3. A shieldlayer 50 is disposed adjacently both sides of the spacer 10. In thisembodiment, the shield layer 50 is different layer from the black matrixBM, the gate line 2 and the drain line 3. The rubbing direction of theorientation layer is the direction along with the gate line 2 or thedrain line 3. As alignment defects the orientation layer are related tothe rubbing direction, the shield layer 50 is arranged wider than thefield occurring alignment defects. Moreover, it allows the shield layer50 to form the same layer with the gate line 2 or the drain line 3, soas to be united with the gate line 2 or the drain line 3. When theshield layer 50 is different layer from the drain line 3, the shieldlayer 50 is made of the same material of the counter voltage line 4.When the shield layer 50 is different layer from the gate line2, theshield layer 50 is made of the same material of the drain line 3. Inanother embodiment, it allows a rubbing direction of an orientationlayer to have an angle θ, wherein the shield layer 50 is formed widerthan he field occurring alignment defect.

[0126] [Embodiment 18]

[0127]FIG. 21 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention. Thespacer 10 is formed over the gate line 2 or the drain line 3, and ashield layer 50 is disposed at the one side of the spacer 10. In moredetail, the shield layer 50 is only formed on the side occurringalignment defect. In this way, an aperture ratio of a pixel can beimproved more than embodiment 17.

[0128] [Embodiment 19]

[0129]FIG. 22 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention. Theshield layer 50 is disposed adjacent both sides to the spacer 10. Inthis embodiment, the right side of the shield layer 50 is longer in theY direction than the left side.

[0130] As alignment defects of the orientation layer are related to therubbing direction, the shield layer 50 is longer in the right than inthe left. In other words, the shield layer 50 is needed as an outlinewhose shape is a circle with the center of the spacer, the radius of thecircle depending on the occurrence of alignment defect.

[0131] [Embodiment 21]

[0132]FIG. 23 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention. In theembodiment 17-20, the shield layer 50 only functions as light shieldingmaterial, but this embodiment makes use of the shield layer 50 as anyelectrodes. In FIG. 23, the counter electrodes 4A which is disposed onthe both sides of the drain line 2 have the function as the shield layer50. If the width of the counter electrodes 4A is formed enough to hidealignment defects perfectly, the initial orientation angle would bedesigned not to depend on the presence of alignment defects. Thereliability of the design improves by this embodiment.

[0133] [Embodiment 22]

[0134]FIG. 24A is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.24B is a sectional view of the pixel of a liquid crystal display cutalong the line b-b in FIG. 24A. A pair of the transparent substrate 1Aand the color filter substrate 1B face each other, the sealing material24 is formed between the substrates as a frame to keep a gap between thesubstrates thereby. The spacer 10 is arranged inside the sealingmaterial 24 to keep a gap at the display region thereby. The spacer 10is formed on on of a pair of the substrates, every spacer having thesame square measurement where the spacer touches the other of the pairof substrates.

[0135] In addition, the number of spacers 10 which are disposed at thecenter of the display region is more than at any other portion of thedisplay region. Thus, the density of the spacers forming near thesealing material 24 is less than the density of the spacers forming atthe center of the display region. By definition, the density of spacersis number of spacers per 1 cm² or 1 mm². So, the spacers which aredisposed far from the sealing material 24 are required for the gapmaintenance force in proportion to the size of the liquid crystaldisplay panel. In general, the thickness of a substrate for LCD is 0.7mm or less, the large size LCD substrate bends easily by virtue of itsweight. In this embodiment, many spacers 10 keep a gap betweensubstrates, preventing bending in large size LCD panels.

[0136] The spacer 10 is formed like the twenty-second embodiment by theselective etching of a photo-lithography method. Moreover, the, densityof the spacer from the center to the edge of the substrate should changesmoothly, and not suddenly. If the density of the spacer changessuddenly, the gap between substrates would not be uniform. In thisembodiment, it allows the density of the spacer to be different from thecenter portion in the direction and the Y direction. Hefice, the densityof the spacer at the center portion in the X direction is more than inthe Y direction to prevent A substrate from bending efficiently.

[0137] [Embodiment 23]

[0138]FIG. 25 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention. Thespacers 10 are arranged uniformly, but the width of the spacers 10disposed at the center of a display region is wider than other spacers10 in other region. Hence, a square measure where the spacers touch thesubstrates is different between the center region and the edge region.The spacer 10 is formed like the twenty-second embodiment by a selectiveetching of a photo-lithography method. Moreover, it allows the materialstrength of spacers to be different between the center region and theedge region.

[0139] [Embodiment 24]

[0140] In a twenty-fourth embodiment, the spacer 10 is not only formedin the pixel whose color filter is green. Rather, the spacer 10 isformed selectively in the pixels whose color filters are red or blue.Because green is the highest light transmittance color among red, greenand blue, an observer can recognize an improper image display in greenpixel easily.

[0141] [Embodiment 25]

[0142]FIG. 26 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, a portion 20 functions as a shield material to hidealignment defects which are caused by the rubbing in the initialorientation direction. Moreover, in this embodiment, the portion 20combines the shield material and the counter electrode 4A which isarranged at the side of the pixel. Therefore, the material of thecounter electrode 4A is selected from the group consisting of aluminum,chromium, a metal alloy including aluminum or chromium as a maincomponent, and so on.

[0143] [Embodiment 26]

[0144]FIG. 27 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-sixth embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, a portion 20 functions as a shield material to hidealignment defects which are caused by the rubbing in the initialorientation direction. Moreover, in this embodiment, the portion 20combines the shield material and the pixel electrode 5. Therefore, thematerial of the pixel electrode 5 is selected from the group consistingof aluminum, chromium, a metal alloy including aluminum or chromium as amain component, and so on.

[0145] [Embodiment 27]

[0146]FIG. 28 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, a portion 20 functions as a shield material to hidealignment defects which are caused by the rubbing in the initialorientation direction. Moreover, in this embodiment, the portion 20combine the shield material and the counter electrode 4A which isarranged at the center of the pixel. Therefore, the material of thecounter electrode 4A is selected from the group of aluminum, chromium, ametal alloy including aluminum or chromium as a main component, and soon.

[0147] [Embodiment 28]

[0148]FIG. 29 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-eighth embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, a portion 20 functions as a shield material to hidealignment defects which are caused by the rubbing in the initialorientation direction. Moreover, in this embodiment, the portion 20combines the shield material and the pixel electrode 5. Therefore, thematerial of the pixel electrode 5 is selected from the group consistingof aluminum, chromium, a metal alloy including aluminum or chromium as amain component, and so on. Furthermore, the portion 20 of the pixelelectrode 5 is wider than another portion for increasing shield area andimproving the precision of the design of a TFT cell.

[0149] [Embodiment 29]

[0150]FIG. 30 is a plan view of the pixel of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a twenty-ninth embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, a portion 20 functions as a shield material to hidealignment defects which are caused by the rubbing in the initialorientation direction. Moreover, in this embodiment, the portion 20combines the shield material and the counter electrode 4A which isarranged at the center or a pixel. Therefore, the material of thecounter electrode 4A is selected from the group of consisting ofaluminum, chromium, a metal alloy including aluminum or chromium as amain component, and so on. Furthermore, the portion 20 of the counterelectrode 4A is wider than another portion for increasing shield areaand improving the precision of the design of a TFT cell. In this way,this invention is to provide a multi-domain system IPS (In—PlaneSwitching mode) liquid crystal display which has high contrast and doesnot have an improper image display. Thus, this invention achieves bothadvantages of preventing advantages the inversion of luminance when theview point of the observer is at an angle with respect to the slantingdirection of the liquid crystal display panel, and providing remarkablyhigh contrast (350:1) and high aperture ratio for a color active matrixliquid crystal display.

What is claimed:
 1. A display device comprising: a pair of substrates; aplurality of drain lines and a plurality of gate lines; a plurality ofpixels formed as surrounded region by adjoining drain lines and byadjoining gate lines; a black matrix elongated along either of the drainline and the gate line with projected portion at center region in thepixel; a spacer arranged at the projected portion; a length of thespacer is shorter than a length of the projected portion and a width ofthe spacer is narrower than a width of the projected portion.
 2. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the black matrix isisolated from other black matrix in the pixel.
 3. The display deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the projected portion have parallelportion with another side of the black matrix where faced to theparallel portion.
 4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein alength of the parallel portion is longer than a length of the spacer. 5.The display device according to claim 4, wherein the parallel portion isconnected to another edge of the black matrix with obtuse angle.
 6. Thedisplay device according to claim 5, wherein the display device isliquid crystal display device.
 7. A display device comprising: a pair ofsubstrates; a plurality of drain lines and a plurality of gate lines; aplurality of pixels formed as surrounded region by adjoining drain linesand by adjoining gate lines; a black matrix elongated along either ofthe drain line and the gate line and isolated with other black matrix inthe pixel; a projected portion of the black matrix at center region inthe pixel; a spacer is arranged at the projected portion.
 8. The displaydevice according to claim 7, wherein a length of the spacer is shorterthan a length of the projected portion.
 9. The display device accordingto claim 8, wherein a width of the spacer is narrower than a width ofthe projected portion.
 10. The display device according to claim 9,wherein the projected portion have parallel portion with another side ofthe black matrix where faced to the parallel portion.
 11. The displaydevice according to claim 10, wherein a length of the parallel portionis longer than a length of the spacer.
 12. The display device accordingto claim 11, wherein the parallel portion is connected to another edgeof the black matrix with obtuse angle.
 13. The display device accordingto claim 12, wherein the displayed device is liquid crystal displaydevice.
 14. A display device comprising: a pair of substrates; aplurality of drain lines and a plurality of gate lines; a plurality ofpixels formed as surrounded region by adjoining drain lines and byadjoining gate lines; a black matrix elongated along either of the drainline and the gate line with a projected portion in the pixel; the blackmatrix having first edge and fifth edge parallel to the either of thedrain line and the gate line; and the projected portion having: 1)second edge connected to the first edge with obtuse angle; 2) third edgeconnected to the second edge with obtuse angle; 3) fourth edge connectedto the third edge with obtuse angle; and the fourth edge is connected tothe fifth edge with obtuse angle.
 15. The display device according toclaim 14, wherein a spacer is arranged at the projected portion.
 16. Thedisplay device according to claim 15, wherein a length of the spacer isshorter than a length of the third edge.
 17. The display deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein the black matrix is isolated with otherblack matrix in the pixel.
 18. The display device according to claim 17,wherein the display device is liquid crystal display device.